Karl Sietman used his new “magic number” in the Westside Pioneer's Guess the KFC Opening Date contest, and it was just magic enough to make him the winner.
Having admired a piece of jewelry with “16 glittery stones” recently in Fairplay, he guessed Oct. 16 for the opening of the new KFC/A&W store at 31st Street and
Colorado Avenue. The actual date was Oct. 15, but no one guessed that. Tied with another person who also guessed Oct. 16, Sietman kept his “magic” by having his
name drawn from a hat to decide the winner.
The store's construction had been delayed by various issues since work started last April, but manager Deb Weeks said she's pleased with how things are going now
that it's open. “We've been very busy,” she said. “It's been a lot of fun.”
She had worked at the old store at the same location three years ago. “Some people have come up and told me, 'Deb, we're glad you're back,'” she said.
A 30-year Coloradan, Sietman has lived on the Westside for four years. As the winner, he will receive a meal for a family of four, courtesy of KFC construction
contractor Al Schlosser of MCM Inc. “I love their coleslaw,” Sietman said.
The contest was announced in the Sept. 21 Westside Pioneer, with people allowed to send in guesses until Sept. 27.